The Commission decided to send reasoned opinions to Cyprus and Greece forfailing to communicate on the measures taken to implement the Directive on procedural safeguards for children suspected or accused in criminal proceedings (Directive (EU) 2016/800).
Children involved in criminal proceedings are particularly vulnerable due to their young age. They have difficulties in understanding what is at stake and they cannot easily comprehend the law and their rights.
This Directive provides specific rights to children who are suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings at all stages of criminal proceedings until the final conviction.
This Directive is one of six EU procedural rights directives. Member States had to transpose this Directive into their national law by 11 June 2019. In July 2019, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Cyprus and Greece for failing to transpose EU rules into national legislation.
Following the reasoned opinions, Cyprus and Greece have four months to respond and take the relevant action. If they fail to comply with EU rules, the cases may be referred to the Court of Justice of the EU.
